Greg Combet, the Minister Assisting the Minister for Climate Change, today awarded $279,000 towards two projects to help the Hunter and Central Coast in New South Wales prepare for likely climate change.

The funding is being provided to eleven councils under the Australian Government’s Local Adaptation Pathways Program – Round 2.

Congratulating the councils, Mr Combet said the funding would help prepare their local community for the impacts of climate change by undertaking risk assessments and developing action plans.

“Projects like this help communities learn more about the effects that climate change is likely to have on them so they can better prepare for them” Mr Combet said.

“Climate change is likely to affect the coast through rising sea levels, increased intensity and frequency of storm events and flooding – threatening coastal housing and infrastructure.

“Coastal flooding, erosion and other hazards currently cost New South Wales around $200 million a year. If the pre-industrial concentration of greenhouse gases in our atmosphere doubles over the coming decades, New South Wales could expect more flooding.

Councils receiving funding are:

• Nambucca Shire Council, Bellingen Shire Council and Kempsey Shire Council - $140,000
• Gloucester Shire Council, Upper Hunter Shire Council, Muswellbrook Shire Council, Singleton Shire Council, Dungog Shire Council, Cessnock City Council, Greater Taree City Council and Maitland City Council - $139,000

“Local councils play a major role in managing the effects of climate change on their community as they have wide ranging responsibility from planning and development, natural resources management, infrastructure, and health and recreational facilities,” Mr Combet said.

The project is part of the Australian Government’s Local Adaptation Pathways Program – Round 2 which awarded a total of $874,000 for seven projects to help regional areas across Australia plan for climate change.

“As well as helping communities prepare for climate change that we can’t avoid, the Australian Government is cutting greenhouse gas emissions through the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme and working with other countries to develop a global solution to climate change,” Mr Combet said.

A full list of recipients under both rounds of the Local Adaptation Pathways Program is available at www.climatechange.gov.au/impacts/localgovernment